Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's Sluggish Victory Over Washington

Illinois didn’t exactly come out firing on all cylinders Thursday night, but good teams find ways to win even when the energy isn’t perfect – and that’s exactly what the Illini did in a 75-66 victory over Washington in Champaign.

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Three Instant Observations From Illinois Basketball's 75-66 Over Washington

Even good teams have the occasional bad game, and No. 9 Illinois offered the proof Thursday in Champaign. But what separates the best teams from the merely good is the ability to overcome those low-water moments and still grind out wins.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / January 29

Watch: Washington at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Men's Basketball | 01/29/2026

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 29

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein Praises Illinois' Jake Davis as an 'Unsung Presence'

A year ago, 6-foot-6 wing Jake Davis arrived in Champaign best known for two things: his three-point shooting ability and his long, luscious locks – perhaps even more for the latter.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 29

Illinois' Brad Underwood Reveals the Moment He Knew Keaton Wagler Was Special

Illinois coach Brad Underwood , and even some veteran Illini , were buzzing with excitement this past offseason about an unheralded freshman: guard Keaton Wagler .

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / January 28

Watch: UCLA at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 01/28/2026

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 27

ESPN's Joe Lunardi Has Illinois Rising in His Latest Bracketology

Illinois keeps finding ways to win. No Kylan Boswell ? No problem (for the most part). The Illini are riding a nine-game win streak – the most recent triumph coming in dramatic fashion at Purdue, behind a 46-point detonation from freshman guard Keaton Wagler .

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / January 27

Watch: Spotlighting The Ivisic Brothers | Illinois Basketball | The Journey

NBA News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 27

Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. No. 2 UCLA

Illinois is back home to take on its next challenge – a major one – in UCLA, one of the top women's basketball programs in the country. The Illini enter the matchup aiming to bounce back after a tough loss at Nebraska, where a slow start proved costly.

Gabe Jacas News / CFB-HQ on SI / January 26

Gabe Jacas 2026 NFL draft prospect profile, grades, rank, measurements

Gabe Jacas may not be a prospect that is a household name for fans starting to tune into draft coverage. His opponents over the past two seasons know him well and opposing offensive coordinators have had to plan to deal with him in the offensive gameplan.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 26

Illinois Basketball Grades: Evaluating the Illini Against Purdue

Any reasonable up-to-the-moment evaluation of Illinois basketball, winners of nine straight – including Saturday's 88-82 instant classic over Purdue at Mackey Arena – has to go something like: "Hey, those guys are great.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 25

Illinois Basketball Boosts NET Ranking With Top-Five Win at Purdue

Let’s rewind the clock to Dec. 13, 2025, when then-No. 23 Nebraska visited Champaign to take on 13th-ranked Illinois. With the score knotted at 80 apiece, an eager, albeit nervous, energy spread over the State Farm Center crowd.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 24

Illinois Reaches Unprecedented Status in KenPom After Win Over Purdue

Illinois didn’t just beat Purdue – it broke the basketball calculator. Somewhere deep in the spreadsheets, a formula quietly blinked, sighed and accepted reality: Illinois basketball now owns the most efficient offense in KenPom history.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / EasySportz / January 24

Keaton Wagler Delivers a Night for the Ages as No. 12 Illinois Stuns No. 4 Purdue on the Road

There are great performances, and then there are nights that become part of college basketball lore. On Saturday in West Lafayette — widely considered

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 24

Illinois Football Offers Fast-Rising Edge Rusher From Florida

With the season officially in the books, momentum around Illinois football hasn’t slowed one bit. The Illini capped a strong 9-4 campaign and followed it up by signing a historic 2026 recruiting class, setting the tone for what the program wants to be moving forward.